Collapsible container structure



Feb. 18, 1958 Filed May 16. 1952 J. F. BARNES ET AL COLLAPSIBLEJ CONTAINER STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wm QM ATTORNEYS.

J. F. BARNES ET AL 2,823,847

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER STRUCTURE Feb. 18, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1952 Feb. 18, 1958 J. F. BARNES ET AL 2,823,847

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER STRUCTURE 4 Shee.ts-Sheet 3 Filed May 16, 1952 ATTORNE Y5.

, Feb. 18, 1958 J. F. BARNES ET AL 2,823,847

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER STRUCTURE Filed May 16, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Maia 3 53i M aw ATTORNEYS CQLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER STRUCTURE James F. Barnes, Chicago, 111., and Elmer F. Rebliolz, St. Louis, Mo., assignors to Foil Process Corporation, Van Nuys, Caliii, a corporation of California Application May 16, 1952, Serial No. 288,276

2 Claims. (Cl. 229-31) This invention relates to a collapsible box structure. Boxes constructed in accordance with this invention can be advantageously employd as berry boxes, tomato boxes, etc., and in general for holding any items of the type which make a knockdown and readily set up container desirable.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a novel collapsible box structure which possesses important advantages in fabrication, in storage and shipping, and in use. More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a collapsible box structure which can be fabricated from a single integral sheet. It is also an object of this invention to provide a collapsible box structure having a relatively small number of points of attachment, thereby requiring fewer staples or the application of smaller amounts of adhesive. It is still another object of this invention to provide a box structure which, after fabrication, can be collapsed intact, and stored or shipped in a compact, collapsed condition. It is still another object of this invention to provide a collapsible box structure which can be readily opened or erected for use. More specifically in this connection, it is an object of this invention to provide a collapsible box structure equipped with pull-tabs or similar elements cooperating with the rest of the box structure to permit the box to be erected by merely grasping the pull-tabs and pulling them apart. Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible box structure possessing the above features and advantages and in addition being provided with means for releasably locking the sides of the box in upright position. Further objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

This invention is shown in illustrative embodiments in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box structure in collapsed condition suitable for use as a berry box, etc.; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the box of Fig. l, in partially erected condition; Fig. 3, a perspective view of the box of Figs. 1 and 2 in completely erected condition, with the sides thereof releasably locked in an upright position; Fig. 4, a plan view of a cut and scored blank of sheet material which can be employed to form the box structure of Figs. 1 to 3; Fig. 5, a cross-sectional view of the box structure taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a cross-sectional view of the box structure taken on line 6--6 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7, a perspective view of a modified collapsed box structure suitable for use as a tomato box, etc.; Fig. 8, a perspective view of the box structure of Fig. 7 in erected condition with the lid raised; Fig. 9, a plan sectional View of the box structure taken on lines 9-9 of Fig. 8; and Fig. 10, a plan view of a cut and scored blank from which the box structure of Figs. 7 to 9 can be fabricated.

The collapsible box structures of the present invention can be formedfrom any suitable sheet material. Preferably an integral sheet of thin fiexible sheet material is employed for fabricating the box structure. For example, sheets of paper, cardboard, metal foil, plastic, etc, are

d States Patent suitable. Good results are achieved by using a heavyweight paper or lightweight cardboard.

Looking first primarily at Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown a collapsible box structure formed of sheet material having a rectangular bottom ltl. It will be understood that the term rectangular is employed in its broader sense as including both square as well as rectangular shapes. In the illustration given, the bottom 10 is integrally connected to a first pair, 11 and 12, and a second pair, '13 and 14, of oppositely-disposed sides extending upwardly therefrom. Sides 11, 12, 13 and 14 are connected to bottom 19 along fold lines 11a, 12a, 13a and 14a, which permit the sides to be folded toward the bottom.

The first pair of sides 11 and 12 are connected to the second pair of sides 13 and 14 by means permitting the box structure to be collapsed in intact condition by folding sides 11 and 12 onto bottom 10, and sides 13 and 14 onto sides 11 and 12. The appearance of the box structure in collapsed condition is shown in Fig. 1, while its appearance in partially erected condition is shown in Fig. 2. The means preferably provided for permitting the box structure to be collapsed in this manner can be seen more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. This means consists of gussets extending from each end of sides 13 and 14 and freely overlying the outer faces of sides 11 and 12; In the illustration given, gussets 15 and 17 extend from the end edges of sides 13, while gussets 16 and 18 extend from the end edges of side 14. Gusset members 15, 16, 17 and 18 are preferably of triangular shape and have one edge connected to the adjacent end edge of sides 13 and 14. In the illustration given, these edges are 15a, 16a, 17a and 18a. Each gusset also has a second edge, specifically edges 15b, 16b, 17b and 18b, connected to the adjacent outer face of sides 11 and 12 along a straight line lying approximately on the line bisecting the adjacent lower corner of the adjacent outer face. For example, edge 15b lies on a line approximately bisecting the right-hand lower corner of the outer face of side 12, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. This angular relationship is desired to permit edges Eli-18a to coincide with edges 11a and 12a when the box is in collapsed condition. The other edges of gussets 15 to 18, namely, edges 15c, 16c, 17c and 180, have a downward inclination and lie freely along the adjacent outer faces of sides 11 and 12.

The structure just described permits the sides of the box to be collapsed while maintaining the box in intact condition. It is also desired to provide means for releasably locking the sides of the box in upright position when the box is in the fully erected condition shown in Fig. 3. In the illustration given, and preferably, this is accomplished by equipping sides 13 and 14 with inwardly-folded extensions 19 and 20, both extensions being shown more clearly in Fig. 6. Extensions 19 and 20, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 5, terminate close to the inner faces of gussets 15 to 18, and provide in conjunction therewith narrow, vertically-extending slots 19a, 19b, 20a and 201;. Slots 19a, 19b, 20a and 20b receive the adjacent end edges of sides 11 and 12 when the box structure is in the fully erected condition shown in Fig. 3, and thereby releasably lock sides 11 to 14 in upright condition.

To assist in erecting the box structure from thecol: lapsed condition shown in Fig. 1 to the fully-erected condition shown in Fig. 3, there are preferably provided pull-tabs or similar elements attached to sides 11 and 12. In the illustration given, pull-tabs 21 and 22 are respectively connected centrally to the outer faces of sides 11 and 12. Pull-tabs 21 and 22 should extend to a point near the bottom edge of the side to which it is attached, and preferably to a point below or outwardly of the bottom edge of the side. For example, in the illustration given, pull-tab 21, as shown in Fig. 1, extends outwardly; beyond bottom edge 12a of side 12, and pull-tab22-is similarly dimensioned. This permits pull-tabs 21 and 22, when the box structure is collapsed, as shown in Fig. 1, to be grasped with the hands and pulled apart. The result of pullingtabs 21 and 22 apart in this manner'is illustrated in Fig. 2. 'It can'be seen that sides 13 and 14 are first brought to an upright position by the raising of sides '11 and 12, and thereafter sides 11 and 12 move to an upright position by having their end edges slide against the inside faces of sides 13 and 14 until they are releasably locked within slots 19a, 19b, a and 201;, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The box structure of Figs. 1 to 3 is preferably fabricated from a cut and scored blank of sheet material similar to blank A shown in Fig. 4. The dotted lines on blank A indicate score lines along which the blank is folded in forming the box. The corresponding portions of the blank are designated by the numbers previously employed. Gussets 15 to 18 are preferably integrally formed with larger gussets 23, 24, and 26. These larger gussets are also correspondingly numbered in Figs. 1 to 3, and provide the preferred means for connecting smaller gussets 15 to 18 to the outer faces of sides 11 and 12. Preferably, two of the larger gussets are provided with extensions adapted to form pull-tabs 21 and .22; for example, in the illustration given, gussets 23 and 26, respectively, provide pull-tabs 21 and 22.

The blank A of Fig. 4 can be formed into the illustrated box structure by folding sides 11, 12, 13 and 14 upwardly along fold lines 11a, 12a, 13a and 14a, while at the same time folding the corner gussets 15 to 18 and 23 to 26 outwardly, respectively, along fold lines 15a to 18a and fold lines 23a to 26a, while at the same time folding the connected gusset members against each other along fold lines 15b, 16b, 17b and 18b. The corner flaps thus formed are folded against the outer faces of sides 11 and 12, and the inner gusset members 23 to 26 are secured thereto. Preferably, gusset members 23 to 26 have portions extending inwardly on the outer faces of sides 11 and 12 into edge-overlapping relation, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. The overlapping portions of gusset members 23 to 26 can then be secured together by merely placing a staple therethrough, such as staples 27 and 28 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This arrangement permits one staple on each side to effectively secure the box structure together. However, if desired, gussets 23 to 26 can be adhesively secured to the outer faces of sides 11 and 12. For example, if desired, a heat-sensitive or pressure-sensitive adhesive can be coated on the undersides, as viewed in Fig. 4, of gussets 23 to 26, except for the undersides of pull-tabs 21 and 22. In the illustration given, the outer edge portions of flap extensions 19 and 20 are shown darkened at 29 and 30 to indicate that adhesive has been coated thereon. If desired, flap extensions 29 and 30 can be merely folded against the inner faces of sides 13 and 14 and not secured thereto, or staples 31 and 32 can be employed instead of adhesive.

When two of the larger gusset members, as preferred, are provided with extensions forming the pull-tabs, these pull-tab extensions are folded to provide the pull-tabs at the desired angle to the outer faces of sides 11 and 12. For example, the pull-tabs 21 and 22 are respectively folded along fold lines 21a and 22a prior to the attachment of the larger gussets 23, 24, 25 and 26 in edge-overlapping relation.

The box structure thus formed can then be collapsed by folding sides 11 and 12 onto bottom 10 and sides 13 and 14 onto sides 11 and 12. In fact, the folding of sides 11 and 12 brings about the automatic folding of sides 13 and '14 through the rotation of smaller gussets 15, 16, 17 and 18, respectively, about edges 15b, 16b, 17b and 18b. To open the collapsed box, as indicated above, it is only necessary to grasp pull-tabs 21 and 22 with the hands and exert a force'thereonin the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig.- 2. This automatically pulls all of the sides into erect position and releasably locks the sides together to form the erect box structure of Fig. 3.

The provision of pull-tabs or similar elements for use in erecting the collapsed box structure is believed to be of greatest value when at least sides 13 and 14 fold into edge-overlapping relation on top of sides 11 and 12. A still greater advantage is achieved when sides 11 and 12 also fold into edge-overlapping relation. This relative dimensioning of the sides is shown in the box structure of Figs. 1 to 6.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 10, there is shown a modification of the box structure of Figs. 1 to 6, which also embodies the main features of the present invention. As seen more clearly in Fig. 8, the modified box structure is particularly adapted for use as a tomato box. The cut and scored blank A of Fig. 10 is formed into the box structure of Figs. 7 to 9 by essentially the same method as that previously described for forming the blank A of Fig. 4 into the box structure of Figs. 1 to 3. Similar parts of the blank of Fig. 10 and the box of Figs. 7 to 9 are correspondingly numbered to the blank of Fig. 4 and the box of Figs. 1 to 3, except that the reference numbers are primed to indicate that they are applied to a modification. The dotted lines of Fig. 10 indicate score lines, as previously shown. In addition, there are shown some solid lines which indicate lines of complete severance. Side 14 is integrally formed with a top 33, which is provided with a window 34' covered with transparent sheet material 35'. Fold lines are provided along the sides of top 33 at its outer corners for the formation of the downwardly-extending rim around the top, as shown more clearly in Fig. 8. Since this represents a procedure which has been previously employed in box structures, it is not believed to be necessary to further discuss it herein. Side 13, in addition to flap extensions 29a and 29b, is provided with a central extension 36 having a central scored and cut knock-out portion 37 adapted to receive a tomato or similar object. As seen more clearly in Fig. 8, extension 36' forms a divider which can be stapled or otherwise alfixed to side 14'. In the illustration given in Figs. 7 to 10, sides 11 and 12 provide ends for the collapsible tomato box, and do not fold into overlapping relation as do sides 13 and 14'. Since flap extension 30 is replaced by top 33, side 14 is provided with cut-out retaining tongues 38 and 39, which can be turned inwardly within the box in the manner indicated more clearly in Fig. 8 to assist in releasably locking ends 11 and 12 to sides 13 and 14.

While in the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the box structure of this invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many of the details set forth can be varied widely without departing from the spirit of the invention. Y

We claim:

1. In a collapsible box structure formed of sheet material, the combination comprising a rectangular bottom having a first pair and a second pair of oppositely-disposed sides extending upwardly from said bottom and connected thereto along lines permitting said sides to be folded toward said bottom, said first and second pairs of sides being connected to each other by means permitting said box structure to be collapsed in intact condition by folding said first pair onto said bottom and said second pair onto said first pair, said first pair of sides being dimensioned to fold onto said bottom in edge-overlapping relation, and said second pair of sides being dimensioned to fold onto said first pair of sides in edge-overlapping relation, said means including gussets extending from each end of said second pair and freely overlying the outer faces of said first pair, each gusset having one edge connected to the adjacent end edge of said second pair, a second edge secured adjacent the adjacent outer face of said first pair along a line lying approximately on the line bisecting the adjacent lower corner of said adjacent outer face, and a third edge having a downward inclination and lying freely along said adjacent outer face, said second pair of sides folding into overlapping relation on top of said first pair of sides, and said first pair of sides having pull-tabs connected centrally to the outer face of each of said first pair and extending in free relation to a point near the bottom edge of each of said outer faces, whereby when said box structure is collapsed, said pull-tabs can be grasped with the hands and pulled outwardly to bring about the erection of said box structure.

2. In a collapsible box structure formed from an in tegral blank of thin, flexible sheet material, the combination comprising a rectangular bottom having a first pair and a second pair of oppositely-disposed sides extending upwardly from said bottom and connected thereto along lines permitting said sides to be folded toward said bottom, said first and second pairs of sides being connected to each other by means permitting said box structure to be collapsed in intact condition by folding said first pair onto said bottom and said second pair onto said first pair, said second pair of sides being dimensioned to fold onto said first pair of sides in edge-overlapping relation, said means consisting of gussets extending from each end of said second pair and freely overlying the outer faces of said first pair, each gusset having one edge connected to the adjacent end edge of said second pair, a second edge secured adjacent the adjacent outer face of said first pair along a line lying approximately on the line bisecting the adjacent lower corner of said adjacent outer face, and a third edge having a downward inclination and lying free- 1y along said adjacent outer face, and larger gussets connected to the end edges of said first pair and to said second edges of said first-mentioned smaller gussets, said larger gussets lying against the outer faces of said first pair and having portions extending inwardly thereon into edge-overlapping relation and one of the: inwardly-extending portions of said larger gussets on each outer face of said first pair having an additional extension folded to extend downwardly and outwardly to a point beyond the bottom edge of said outer faces, thereby providing pulltabs for use in erecting said box structure when in collapsed condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 940,941 Putnam Nov. 23, 1909 1,113,922 Wilson Oct. 13, 1914 1,271,033 Hall July 2, 1918 2,286,465 Clement June 16, 1942 2,307,720 Ringler Jan. 5, 1943 2,650,751 Goers Sept. 1, 1953 

